MAJOR CHARACTERS
Mervyn OndaatjeOne of the most, if not the most central and influential character incorporated in Running in the Family. Portrayed as somewhat of a tragic character, Mervyn is the character around which my memoir revolves. He is the person in my life for whom I go back to Ceylon to further investigate about, to ultimately grasp a better understanding of my connection with him and my own self-identity. As written on the first page, he was the "bright bone of a dream that I could barely hold onto," which reveals he was the person in my life whom I had never chosen to learn more about prior to the writing of Running in the Family.
Lalla GratienThe character known for her extremity in all areas of life, my grandmother plays a huge role in explaining my personal history and revealing the overarching dynamic of my family history. Throughout the memoir, I describe her actions with a tone of humor and endearment to institute a light-hearted character element amidst a overall serious theme and to highlight her personality as care-free, bold, and determined. Ultimately, my description of her death highlights my deep-seeded connection to her, and the importance she played in the context of my family.
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Doris GratiaenInitially, I use my father's marriage with my mother to help describe his disorderliness and misconduct in the early years of his adulthood, setting a pretext for the rest of his life. However, throughout the rest of the memoir, I depict Doris as a character similar to that of Lalla in her theatrical background, in addition to her traits of determination and strength. In the memoir, I choose to focus less on my mother to therefore emphasize the significance of my father's role in understanding my own identity.
Michael OndaatjeMyself. The memoir of Running in the Family is the investigation of my family's history in Ceylon and Ceylonese culture to gain a better grasp of my own identity. However, the most important element of this investigation is to understand more about myself particularly through my father, Mervyn, who I had prematurely labeled as someone I had malice towards due to the scarce, negative information I knew about him. Throughout the memoir, I slowly confront my internal conflicts and uncertainty I feel regarding my own identity.
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MINOR CHARACTERS
Francis de SaramThe character I use in this memoir to emphasize the motif of alcohol in the negative effects. Through his description in the chapter titled, "Flaming Youth," I reveal Francis de Saram as the "first to drink himself into the grave." In a way, he almost serves as a symbol for the generation of young adults, including Doris and Mervyn, that embraced a culture of debauchery in Ceylon.
Gillian OndaatjeAs one of my sisters, she serves as a person who travels alongside me through periods of the investigation in the memoir to help aid me on my path towards self-understanding and an establishment of a clear identity. She serves as a symbol of familial support for the character of Michael Ondaatje
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Philip OndaatjeMy grandfather who built our family's home in Ceylon at "Rock Hill" from his enormous wealth. This character played a role in sustaining the life of my family, especially my father's, for the years to come.
Sir JohnThis character's life portrays the ultimate "dream" that one may have for a life in Ceylon. Through the description of his home and daily life, I try to portray him as a symbol of Ceylonese prestige, wealth, and high-society culture during the 1920's and 1930's.
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